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28 people indicted for stolen firearms and methamphetamine distribution operation

CLARKSBURG – Twenty-eight people have been named in two indictments handed down by a federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg on Aug. 29, acting U.S. Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

The first indictment was handed down alleging that a group of individuals from West Virginia conspired with one another to steal a large amount of firearms, sell those firearms, and barter those firearms for drugs in Upshur County and elsewhere from October 2016 to August 2017.

Those named in the 20-count firearms indictment are:

* Michael Lynn Lough, 32, of Buckhannon;

* Timothy Glen Woods, 28, of French Creek;

* Lisa Kay Knight, 24, of Upshur County;

* Dustin Cain Anderson, 23, of Buckhannon;

* Benjamin Tyler Nazelrod, 26, of Buckhannon;

* Reggie Joe McLain, aka “McLain,” 37, of Buckhannon;

* Aaron Matthew McLain, 36, of Volga;

* Carla Denise Jones, 55, of Volga;

* Bobby Ray Johnson, Jr., 27, of Buckhannon;

* Roger Lee Clem, II, aka “Woody,” 30, of Weston;

* Kimberly A. Warner, aka “Kimmie,” 26, of Buckhannon; and

* Danielle Paige Tanner, 22, of Glen Allen, Virginia.

The second indictment was handed down, alleging another group of individuals from West Virginia conspired with one another to distribute methamphetamine in Upshur County from March 2016 to August 2017.

Those named in the 50-count methamphetamine distribution indictment are:

* Amanda Me Bachman, aka “AB,” 33, of Buckhannon;

* Rocky Douglas Idleman,, 38, of Clarksburg;

* Thunderbolt Dean Whaley, 40, of French Creek;

* Cassandra Tahj Riffle, aka “Cassie Hickman,” 31, of Buckhannon;

* Melissa Ann Masuga, 33, of Buckhannon;

* Elizabeth Ellen Golden, aka “Liz,” 42, of Buckhannon;

* Steven Larry Harper, aka “Skip,” 39, of Buckhannon;

* Reggie Joe McLain, 37, of Buckhannon;

* Brett Allen Reed, 23, of Buckhannon;

* Jerry Lee Stewart, Jr., 27, of Weston;

* Angela Dawn White, 46, of Buckhannon;

* Clarrisa Michelle Adkins, 24, of Wallace;

* Michael Lewis Woodyard, 26, of Clarksburg;

* Crystal Michelle Haggarty, 34, of Bridgeport;

* Cassie Chase Poland, 18, of Fairmont;

* Casey Jo Richards, 28, of Bridgeport; and

* Austin Jay Robinson, 18, of Belington.

“This case is one more example of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies collaborate and work together to rid our communities of illegally-obtained weapons and drugs. We will continue these efforts to prosecute those who continue to plague our state with methamphetamines and other harmful illegal substances,” said Jividen.

“Today’s round-up is the result of a comprehensive investigation of a regionally significant armed drug trafficking organization based in Upshur County that not only distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, but also endangered the public through the illegal acquisition, use and transfer of firearms as part of their criminal activity. This case is an outstanding example of the success law enforcement can have when agencies work together to protect the public we serve,” said Stuart L. Lowrey, special agent in charge, ATF Louisville Field Division (KY/WV).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department are investigating.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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